Dispenser



March 14, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ET AL. 2,500,437

DISPENSER Filed Jan. 10, 1945 q 7 Sheets-Sheet l WILLIAM .5, TANDLEH DAVID s. WALKER BY FERDINAND A..UE wass ATT'V Ma rch 14, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ET AL 2,500,437

DISPENSER Filed Jan. 10, 1945 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR. WILLIAM S TANDLER a? zuvm s, WALKER BY FERn/NA/v ADE WEISS 7 WW M ATT'Y March 14, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ET AL 2,500,437

DISPENSER Filed Jan. 10, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM s TANDLER DAvm s WALKER FERDINAND A. DE WEISS ATTY March 14, 1950 w. s. TANDLER ET AL 2,500,437;

DISPENSER Y Filed Jan. 10, 1945 7 Sheets- Sheet 5 F 7 E 7 F g 2 F q E s A: is

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM 5, TANDLER pAv/n .s WALKER BY FERDINAND A. m; wuss ATT'Y March 1950 w. s. TANDLER ET AL. 2,500,437

DISPENSER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 10, 1945 INVENTOR- WILLIAM s TANDLER DAVID s. WALKER BY FERDINAND A.IIE WEISS ATT'Y March 14, 1950 Filed Jan. 10, 1945 W. S. TANDLER ET AL DISPENSER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V EN TOR.

WILLIAM 5. TA NHL ER DAVID S. WALKER FERDINAND A. DE WEISS Patented Mar. 14, 195

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSER Delaware Application January 10, 1945, Serial No. 572,220

The invention relates to a device for dispensing individual articles of merchandise, for instance merchandise packages, and it relates more particularly to devices which will automatically control the delivery of diiierent items of merchandise from a container.

Known devices of this type are operated on the principle of gravity feed; the articles or packages to be delivered are vertically stacked one upon another; as delivery is required a barrier is removed from the path of the lowest package in the vertical column allowing for its delivery as a result of the combined weight of all packages above it.

These merchandise dispensin devices do not work satisfactorily for the reason that their application is limited to the handling of articles and packages which are not afiected by large pressure; furthermore, the capacity of this type of device is limited to a comparatively small number of varieties of merchandise, since each Vertical column must, of necessity, carry the same item. If it is required to dispense a large number of difierent items, the great horizontal distance required would make the device prohibitively large.

It is the object of the invention to render the delivery of individual articles of merchandise and particularly of merchandise packages independent of their weight as a delivery promoting agent.

It is another object of the invention to control the operation of the dispenser by the positive action of a delivery or discharge mechanism.

It is also an object of the invention to allow for the storage in a dispenser of a much greater variety of merchandise items than has been hitherto possible.

It is a further object of the invention to make provisions for the simultaneous delivery of a number of difierent items.

It is also an object of the invention to provide simple, effective means for an unobstructed continuous operation of the dispenser.

It is a further object of the invention to render this operation substantially automatic.

It has been found that these and other objects which will become apparent as this specification proceeds, can be satisfactorily accomplished by the provision in the dispenser housing 19 Claims. (Cl. 31263) of a series of trays arranged in horizontal rows and vertical banks in each of which trays a plurality of the items of merchandise, for instance, merchandise packages are successively alined, provisions being made that such tray may accommodate a different variety of merchandise.

Associated with each tray is a pusher mechanism adapted to advance the packages alined before it. This pusher mechanism is securely fastened to a flexible element, such as a cable, which pulls the pusher toward the front portion of the tray, whereby the front package is caused to fall from the tray into a delivery passage. The pulling force applied to the cable is preferably the result of the closing of an electrical circuit by means of a selective push button switch. A number of push buttons equal to the number of trays is provided so that any one of the many different items of packaged merchandise may be selected for delivery.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a schematic horizontal sectional elevation of the dispenser on line l l of Fig. 2, the advance of the package pusher being indicated to different delivery positions;

Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional elevation on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional elevation on line 3,3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a perspective top view of one delivery tray showing in detail the pack-age pusher mechanism, the mechanism for the automatic interruption of its advance movement and the means for preventing further package delivery after the last package has been delivered from the tray;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the means for effecting displacement of the package pushers mounted on a group of five trays arranged in a horizontal row, these packages being shown on a reduced scale in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a top View of the means shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical system for controlling the selection and delivery of the packages and the recording of the delivery;

Fig. 8 shows the complete circuit diagram of 3 the electrical control system in one vertical bank;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional elevation on an enlarged scale on line 99 of Fig. 4 of a switch for interrupting the advance of the package pusher.

The dispenser housing is denominated in the drawing by A; a number of fiat trays or platforms I is mounted in this housing.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing eight trays I are provided next to each other in eight horizontal rows and superposed in ten verticalbanksi packages at are alined on these trays in direct succession, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The platforms or trays I are supported on the lower broad flanges 3I of parallel dOubIe T- beams 33, Fig. 4, which are supported at their rear ends on channels 30a fixed to the back of the housing A; these beams and the platforms carried thereon extend substantially-through the entire width of the dispenser. A pusher plate 2 is slidably supported on each platform I and guided during its movement over the platform by end bends 32, Fig. 4, which are situatedb'etween the upper smaller flanges 39 of T-beams 3B and platform I. H

Each pusher "2 is provided with a bottom flange 40 projecting'rearwardly from the'same and'connected to the rear portions ofend bends 32; this flange serves as a guide-during the displacement of the pusher on the tray I; a *lip 33 is attached to this flange 40 projecting-downwardly through the tray; a slot 400. is provided in the latter to permit the'displacement of'the' lip with the pusher; the'displacement is'efiec'ted by a rope 3 fastene'd'to' the lip 33; therope runs over a pulley 4 and is connected with'm'eans to advance the pusher; 'these means aredescribed in a later part or thisspecificationythinttubes 5 are provided at the underside of the tray struc ture for the guidance of ropes 3.

If a pull is exerted by ropes '3"dn"tli'e pushers 2, the latter will advance onthe'trays towards their front edges and, there'fore; push the'packages which are aline'd'on "the trays in front of the pusher to deliverypassage 8. r

A discharge lip I is fastenedto the front edge of the trays. Thepeeke es slide over this lip into discharge passage 8 they fall 'ontd'an'inclined delivery chute 34 and finally arriv'e on platform 35 from where 'the'y'maybe picked up by the purchasers.

A device for stopping the advance of the pushers consisting of a normally-closed switch 24 is fastened on the underside of the-forward end of each tray I; the switch is in 'a customary manner provided with a contact tongue 9 proje'c'ti'ng into a recess ll of lip'l. 'A'package pushed from the platform strikes against re silient tongue 9 and actuatesthe switch which will stop'f urther advance of the pusher g in'a manner which will be deseribedindetail in a later part of this specificatiom after'the pack-'- age has been discharged from the I tray,'the

V A dr iving motor II "is sit'uated iri chamber D.

The rotation of this motor is transmitted by shaft I2 to transmission gears of customary construction located in a gear chamber I3 supported on the bottom wall of chamber E the gears being not shown to prevent overcrowding of the'drawings; the shafts Ii) passing through gear chamber I3 are driven by these gears.

Asleeve B'is located freely movable on each shaft I I] therefore, the rotation of the shafts as such will have no effect on sleeves 6. A ratchet wheel I4 is mounted on each sleeve 6 and an eccentric IB is carried by each shaft I9; pawls I5 are rotatablybarried by the eccentrics for instance by-a ring fastened to the end thereof and loosely engaging the eccentric and so arranged that during the reciprocative movement imparted to themby the eccentrics-the pawls may be brought 'inoperativeconnection with ratchet wheels M by springs If.

The rotation of the eccentrics I6 imparts as previously stated, a reciprocating-motionto their respective pawls l5 which when the pawls "are in contact with their associated ratchet wheels 53 will causean intermittent rotationof sleeves-'6.

The sleeves 6 are connected-with the cables 3, as shown in Figure 3. Due to the rotation of sleeves 6 the cables 3 will'be'wound onto the same whereby a pulling-action is exerted on the cables 3, causing-air advance 'of'thepushers 2 and therewith of thepackages-alined in front of the pushers" on trays I. The pawls- I5 nor mally do not coact with the ratchet wheels I4;

, therefore, the 'reciprocativeunovement of the pawls I5 will normally not result man-advance 0f pushers 2; Cooperation between-pawls i5 and ratchet wheels l l is, howeveneifected by levers I8 forming the armature of solenoids I9. The disconnection of pawls I5 from the ratchet wheels I4 is assured by springs Il, Fig. 6.

Push buttons 2I located on-the ledge '20, Figures 1 and 2; are -correlated w-ith each tray. Thus when an electric circuit is closed by pressing down a pushbutton and current is'caused to flow through the coils of a solenoid I9; one arm o-fa rotatable two-arm lever liiisattr-acted toward the core of the solenoid I9, Figure 6, thereb forcing the associated pawl I5 to engage the ratchet wheel I 4.

The current necessary for the energization of the solenoid I9 is, as mentioned above, caused to flow by actuation of a push button which completes an electric circuitdescribed in detail-in a later part of this specification. The pawls I5 will remain in engagement with the ratchet wheels I4 and continue to cause their rotation until the circuit flow through solenoids 81'} is interrupted. This is accomplished by the discharged package which-actuates switch 23, Fig. 4, by striking against resilient tongue "3.

Upon interruption of the current by the advancing package, solenoid I9 is deenergized and restoring spring I! draws the pawl I5 away from the ratchet wheel I4, thus ending'the rotary motion imparted to the sleeve 6; further advance of the pusher 2 and the packages is thus interrupted.

From the above it is apparent that the drive motor H and shafts l driven therefrom may be in continuous operation without in any way affecting the operation of the described mechanism since a pulling force is applied to pushers 2 through cables 3 by means of rotating sleeves 6 only when the pawls cooperate with ratchet wheels M as a result of the energization of solenoids l9 and the resulting action of levers l8. The energization of solenoids l9, Fig. 8, is achieved through the flow of current from power supply X, through wire 46 to motor starting relay coil 23, then along wire 4| to and through normally closed switches 24, 19, 80 connected in series by means of wires 42.and 43. The flow of current continues along wire 44 to contact point 45, thence along wire 4'! through magnetic counter to terminal 48 of solenoid l9, through the solenoid winding 49 to terminal 50 of the solenoid. From terminal point 50 the current travels along wire 5| to terminal 52 of switch 22 from which point it travels to contact 22a and to terminal 53 from which point the current passes along wire 54 to limit switch 26. From switch 26 the current flows along wire 55 to push button 2|, which, when closed, permits the current to flow along wire 56 to terminal 51. The current then passes through switch contact 220 to terminal 58 from which it flows along wire 59 to terminal 60 of switch 16 through switch contact H to terminal 6| along wire 62 to terminal point 63. The current then passes through switch contact 12 along wire 64 through wire 65 to power supply lead Y completing the circuit.

It is also apparent from the above that the device may contain any number of trays and pushers 2 together with the associated driving mechanism, each operating independently of the other and the action of each being controllable by means of a push button through an electrical circuit.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8 a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical control system and a complete circuit diagram of the electrical system is shown therein for the control of the storage and delivery trays I in any one vertical bank. Each additional vertical bank of trays would be provided with the same controlling circuit.

The circuit is shown in its deenergized condition, control elements for three separate delivery trays I being indicated; however, any number of control elements and any number of delivery trays may be added by connecting them into the circuit as indicated by the dotted line elements.

The operation of the dispenser is as follows:

It is assumed that the delivery of a package from a specific tra is required. Control board 20 located on the front face of the dispenser carries, as previously mentioned, a number of push buttons 2|, equal to the number of trays l and each button is labeled to indicat the tray which it controls.

If delivery is required from a particular tray, the coordinated push button is depressed energizing associated solenoid coil |9 through normally closed contact 220, 22a of a customary make before break switch 22 composed of contacts 22a, 22b, 22c and normally closed stop Switch 24.

As the one arm of double arm lever I8 is attractedby the energized solenoid I9 thus moving pawl l5 into position to cause the rotation of ratchet wheel M, the other arm acts upon arm 25, Fig. 8, of a customary make before break switch, causing the closing of contacts 22b and opening of contacts 220 and 22a, thus rendering the push buttons serving the other trays of the same vertical bank not associated with the actuated solenoid, ineffective. The flow of current for energizing the solenoid l9, as a result of the operation of the push button 2|, has been described previously. It is apparent that the opening of the contacts 22a and 22c and the closing of the contact 22b eliminates the push button 2| from the circuit. The path of the current flow then is from the power supply line X through the wire 46, the motor starting relay coil 23, the wire 4|, the normally closed switch 24, the wire 42, the normally closed switch 19, the wire 43, the normally closed switch 80, the wire 44, the terminal 45, the wire 47, the magnetic counter coil, the coil I9, the wire 5|, the terminal 52, the switch contact 22b which is now closed, the blade 25, the wire 65 to the power supply line Y, thus completing the circuit, with the push button 2| now out of the circuit.

For further clarification, the tray controlled by the push button 13 may be considered. The circuit, when the device is in operation because of actuation of the button 2| and the push button 13 is depressed, is as follows:

From the power supply line X through the wire 46, the motor starting relay coil 23, the wire 4|, theswitches 24, '19 and in series through the wires 42 and 43, then through the wire 44 to the connection point 45, the wire 41, the magnetic counter coil 14, the coil 15, the wire 66, the terminal point 61 of the switch 16, through the contact wire 68, the switch 18, the wire 69, the push button 13 now closed, the Wire 10,, the wire 56 to the terminal point 51. Inasmuch as the contact 220 is open as the result of the actuation of the arm l8 because of the previous operation of the switch 2|, the circuit through all of the push buttons is open, and consequently actuation of the button 13 is ineffective to energize the corresponding solenoid 15. v 1

There isno electrical connection between the control circuits of separate vertical banks of trays except to the motor starting relay 23.

The above described action prevents the simultaneous operation of more than one tray of the same vertical bank and renders by preventing the simultaneous delivery of two packages from trays in the same vertical bank the jamming of several packages in the delivery passage 8 impossible.

This procedure, however, has no effect upon the operation of the delivery mechanism in the other vertical banks, so that the simultaneous delivery of many packages is possible provided they are not stored in the same vertical bank.

The closing of contacts 22b keeps the solenoids l 9 energized even though the push buttons 2| should not be in the depressed position. The push buttons 2| may be, therefore, of the momentary contact type and contact 22b will serve to maintain energization of the solenoid until the delivery of the package has been accomplished.

As a package falls from its tray into delivery passage 9, it strikes the actuator lip 9 of stop 7. switch [interrupting the current circuit; The opening 'of switch z kwh-ichdeenergizes solenoid l 9, 'ena-bles the i restoring-spring 1 to interrupt the cooperation between pawl and ratchet wheel M, thus stopping the ro-tation of sleeve -6 and consequently that ofpusher' l.

In this manner, further delivery of the --packages is interrupted as -soorr as'a package-is discharged from its storage tray.

The action of the spring i1* =i:n-movi-ng*thepawl l5- away fromthe ra tchet i lpmoves the -lever l 8 away from the'solenoid r9 and also releases the arm' of the switch =22,eFigure 8g'restcring the contacts 22a, 22b and 22c to their initial positions. *Thecontact flb -is-arranged=to displace the contacts 22a" and 2-2c as F the 'conta'ct 22b -is displaced to "the-right or'--1e"ft. Therefore, the contacts 220. and 220* are--closed ='when the =contact' 22b -isopengan'd when the contact 22 bis closed; the contacts 22a" arid'ZZcare open.

-'It was indicated "in i an -'earlier "part of "this specification that the opening of contacts 22c prevents the operation of -a second deliver tray'in the same=vertica1 =bank while-one tray is operatingyif, however, 'the push button =2 v should "unintentionally -rermin depressed, this safeguard would be inoperative. If, ion-instance, a push button 2|, the actuation of WhiCh-*GBJI-J.SBS delivery from one 2 tray, remains depressed for some reason *or other, the energization of -coil l9 --wi11 'result 'in the closing of contacts 222) through'the-action of-leverl8. If now-a secon'd push button inanother vertical bank is depressed, callingfor-delivery from a second :tray, a circuit would be completed through '22b,' -n0w -close'd, andonto' the energization of ooil l fi, thusinitiating operation of*the--sec0nd tray. However, the provision of switch 22 which causes-operation of -lever -'=l 8 =as a -result" of energization-of solenoid l9, prevents the completion: of the :circuit in this direction, thus -effectively reridering all push" buttons in the =samewvertical= bank inoperative while the delivery mechanismof -"one of the'circuits is inopera'tion.

Another safeguarding element is 1 represented by a device preventing operationof the-advance and "delivery mechanismof 1 any tray- -'-a-fter the last'package stored thereon-has"been' elelivered. This is accomplished by means- 0f -limib switch 26, Fig. 4, which is normally closed permitting passage of current each time a push -button is depressed. *I-IOWQVGIyaSthQ lastpackagewn the tray is deliveredand th pusher 2 has atermb nate'd its travel; projection 21- traveling along the slot 21a of 1 tray -l "'fastened to the"-bottomof the 'pusher -contacts actuating button "28 ef switch"26-1nounted on the underside of the tray l thus opening the 'same and preventing any further operation of the P tray in' que'stion. Projection 21 will remain in contact with -actuator button 28 until pusher plate z is manually replaced *in -its "initial position, thus -preventing operation until 'the*=tray -is-=r'eloa'ded.

In' order to indicate-the numberof pa'ckages delivered from each-traya rnagnetic counter of a customarytype may be providedateesuitable place at the front =face "of "the dispensen for in- 'stance"on*--ledge "20; a coil '30 --is' providedfisee Fig. 3, forthe actuation cf the counter" which coil is connected -inseries With'the--ene rgizing coil ofthesolenoids l9. "Ihusyeaclr time the solenoid is energized" resulting i in' the operation of the described delivery mechanism-the "coil' tfl is energized causing a-counter to'beactuated, whereby each delivered package-is registered.

c ao-one? --A1though the present system -has"-been de- *scribdfcr one vertical bank of traysfisit-may equally well be used in apparatus haVing-any number of =vertica1 bank's without change in the-operatingmiechanisms or the 'electrical control circuit.

-As many changes" could be made 1 in the a-bove -con'struction-andmany apparently -wi'de1y different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing fromithe scope" thereof, it is intended that alr mattercontained in "the above -description=or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and without limitation of "the invention.

We-claim:

1. A -dispensenfor individuaharticles of"-mercharidise *and particularly for merchandise packages comprisingfim-a housing a' plurality of ali-ned package supporting trays in '-said'- housing located in" adjacent --r'elation in horizont'alrows and in spaced spuperpcsed relation in 'vertic'al banks,--a "pusher slida-bly supported on ea'ch 'tray for the "discharge -of the packages; an electrical circuit and" electrical control means therein cor related with-each individual'tray operative upon closinga selected element in said circuit to advance the" selected pusher andt-he 1 selected package along the selected tray and over" the "front portion thereof toa p1ace-of d'eliveryg-said control me ans" each including-- acircuit closing push button, a solen'oid,-arotatable lever forming the solenoid armature,-and 'a'rockable and recipro- "cable hooked element actuated-by the rotation of said lever;*toothedmeansactuated -by-said-elementto advance'the pusher; means actuated by the packagepassing' the front portion of the selected tray to *deenergize L saids olenci'd," means to interrupt the cooperation between said lever actuated element and the means to advance 'the pusher to terminate its -advance' andto restore the'initialposition of said lever.

' '2. A --,dispenserifor individual-articles cr -merchandise andparticularly-formerchandise packages comprising in a housing -a-'-plurality =of alined package supporting trays located in adj ac-entre- 'lation'-i-n horizontal rows and inspaced superposedrelation in vertical banks; a-n electricalcircuit inchiding switches; 7 each---correlated with a difierent" tray to advance the packages' of a singletray of a vertical bank 'over the front portion of'said-tray to a---place of delivery upon closing-cf its -=correlated switch, =means included in :said electrical circuit to render switches cor-related with the 'other trays 'o'f the -same ver-tical bank ineifective and' means actuated by the package passing the-front 'portion of the selected" trayto interrupt the -=advance of l the residual packages.

3.-'A-- dispenser ior individual articles of'z-merchandiseandparticularlyfifor merchandise paokages comprising in a housing a plurality of alined package supporting 'trays located in adjacentwrelation in "horizontal rows -an'd' spaced superposed relation -in=vertical' banks, :a pusher 'slidablyesupported on each traylior thedischargeof'thepackages, 'an 'electrical circuit 'a'r-idtelectrical control means "therein: correlated :with each: individual tray and operative upom-clo'sin'ga-a rselected-l element in said circuit to advance thelselectedrpusher andthe" selected pank-age: successively on :the selected" tray; and over ethe :front 1301 13011 thereof to a place==0f delivery," and -means actuateclitby the package passing the fronts-portion 1 of ithe selected tray to -interrupt the advancevmovement cfthe -selected :pusher, :said control-means each including in said housing a push buttomwa-ss'olenoid, a rotatable double arm lever forming the solenoid armature, a reciprocable and rotatable hooked element actuated by the rotation of one arm of said lever, toothed means actuated by said element to advance the pusher of the selected tray, means actuated by the rotation of the other arm of said lever to render the push buttons of the other trays of the same vertical bank ineffective and means actuated by the package passing the front portion of the selected tray to interrupt the advance of the residual packages.

4. .A dispenser for individual articles of merchandise and particularly for merchandise packages comprising in a housing a plurality of alined package supporting trays located in adjacent relation in horizontal rows and in spaced superposed relation in vertical banks, an electrical circuit and electrically controlled means therein correlated with each tray and operative upon closing a push button in said circuit to advance the selected package successively on the selected tray and over the front portion thereof to a place of delivery, said means each including in said housing a solenoid, a rotatable lever forming the solenoid armature, a plurality of shafts,

a sleeve loosely supported and an eccentric rigidly mounted on each shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said sleeve, a pawl carried by said eccentric to be reciprocated by rotation of the latter, each pawl being positioned to be moved into cooperation with a ratchet wheel of a second shaft by said rotatable lever and to thereby intermittently rotate said ratchet wheel and said sleeve connected therewith, and means to impart rotation to said shafts.

chandise and particularly for merchandise packages comprising in a housing a plurality of alined package supporting trays located in adjacent relation in horizontal rows and in spaced superposed relation in vertical banks, a pusher slidably supported on each tray for the discharge of the packages, an electrical circuit and electrically controlled means therein correlated with each tray and operative upon closing a push button in said circuit to advance said package successively on the selected tray and over the front portions thereof to a place of delivery, said means each including in said housing a solenoid, a rotatable lever forming the solenoid armature, a plurality of shafts, a sleeve loosely supported and an eccentric rigidly mounted on each shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said sleeve,

a pawl carried by said eccentric to be reciprocated by rotation of the latter, each pawl being positioned to be moved into cooperation with a ratchet wheel of a second shaft by said rotatable lever and to intermittently rotate said ratchet Wheel and said sleeve connected therewith, means to impart rotation to said shafts, and means utilizing the rotation of said sleeve to advance the iii substantially horizontal support for a plurality,

ing a solenoid, a rotatable lever forming the solenoid armature, a plurality of shafts, a sleeve loosely supported and an eccentric rigidly mounted on each shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said sleeve, a pawl carried by said eccentric to be reciprocated by rotation of the latter, each pawl being positioned to be moved into cooperation with a ratchet wheel of a second shaft by said rotatable lever and to intermittently rotate said ratchet wheel and said sleeve connected therewith, means to impart rotation to said shafts, and means actuated by the package passing the front portion of the trays to interrupt further movement of the package advancing means.

'7. A dispenser for individual articles of merchandise and particularly for merchandise packages comprising in a housing a plurality of alined package supporting trays located in adjacent relation in horizontal rows and in spaced superposed relation in vertical banks, a pusher slidably supported on each tray for the discharge of the packages, an electrical circuit and electrically controlled means therein correlated with each tray and operative upon closing a push bu ton in said circuit to advance the selected.

pusher to move said packages successively on the selected tray and over the front portion,

thereof to a place of delivery, said means each including in said housing a solenoid, a rotatable lever forming the solenoid armature, a plurality.

said eccentric to be reciprocated by rotation of thev latter, each pawl being positioned to be moved into cooperation with a ratchet wheel; of a second shaft by said rotatable lever and to intermittently rotate said ratchet wheel and said sleeve connected therewith, means to impart rotation to said shafts, means to utilize the rotation of said sleeve to advance the pusher, and

means actuated by the package passing the front portion of the selected tray to interrupt furtheradvance movement of the pusher. 8. A dispenser for individual articles of merchandise and particularly for merchandise packlivery, said means each including in said housing a solenoid, a rotatable lever forming the,

solenoid armature, a plurality of shafts, a sleeve loosely supported and an eccentric rigidly mounted on each shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said sleeve, a pawl carried by said eccentric to be reciprocated by rotation of the latter, each pawl being positioned to be moved into cooperation with a ratchet wheel of a second shaft by said rotatable lever and to intermittently rotate said ratchet wheel and said sleeve connected therewith, means to impart rotation to said shafts, a switch located at the front part of each tray to be opened by the package passing said front portion to interrupt the circuit current and to prevent further advance of the pusher and of the packages.

9. An article dispensing device comprising a lil ofii articles means movable: lengthwiseaof-g said support for advancing said. 1 articles along; said support and.- discharging, them successively; at onecen d thereof; driving-means for moving: said advancing means, mechanism including a pawl anderatchet,- forconnecting: said: drivinglmeans to and disconnecting, it from asaid advancing means,r-s,ma nually controllablei means iori'actuat inns: said! mechanism; tov connect said; driving means; to said advancing means to dischargean ndzmeans engageable by said discharged: articleovactuatersai'd' -.mechanism to disconnect said:drivingv means ffrom'zsaid: advancing means.-

10'. .Ana article dispensing; device icomprising ay substantially horizontal support for a pluna-lity; oft: articles; means: movable lengthwise of i. said support f or -advancing-saidarticles simultaneous lyvand; discharging them successively-at one :end; of: said; support, amotor for' moving: said: advancing;-means,- a pawl and ratchet:mechanism-v connectingsaid motor and said article-advancing; means; said pawl being: movable intov and. out off driving:- relation-"with; said 1 ratchet, elec-w triical means @energizable'to: :movesaid :pawl finto driving; relation with said ratchet; meanss to: move' said paw-l'out'oi driving relation With-said: ratchet 'wh-enzsaid electrical means is deenergized; aamanual-lycoperablev switch for energizing-gisaidf electricalfimeans, :an-d anotherswitch actuatedsbyx discharge: of 5 an: article; from said: supportivfori deen'ergizin-g, said? electrical :means;

11. l article: dispensing: device: comp-rising a: plurality of lverticallyrsuperimposed substantially? horizontal :supp'ortsr fora :pluraiity: 'oftarticlemau pusheribnrember ,nrovabiezz along eaclciizsupportttou arltancezsamarticleathereonandidischargesthemz successivelitamone zend cf-feachisupportr la idriv'tw inggmieansi forr aliz? of: said mrsher: members,: i an"; electrically" actuated means? corresponding to: each 1131151161? member for" selectively connecting; saididriving'. means to anddi'sconrreetirrg'it from" itsscorrespon'ding pusher: memberya first SWitGh'l means corresponding" toeach pusher member; In'ea-ns electrically connecting said first switch means and said .ele'ctricall'y actuated 'meansv tot: connect saidzdrivingmeans to a pusher'memb'er uponu actuation" of its' corresponding switch. means; and 'means 'resp'onsive ltoractuationcof any; oirsaid'l .fiTStiSWitCl'l' means iorrendering ineffieca tivei-s all ft. the other first switch. means-,1; and 1 secondsswitcha m'eansadjacent to saidronezend-z'zof r eachsupport: actuated? byrdischargea of fanaartic-le-v therefrom to? disconnect :saidfid-riving meanssfrom-rv thezpusherrmemb'er connectedrthereto:

122 Aadispenser forr'individual articles of: mere chandises-and' particularly for" merchandise/pack ages/comprising" a housing, a plurality of. homi zontal=rows of article supporting members, each: row including' ia'zplurali'ty of said article support-n ingfmembers disposed:substantially horizontally and .extendingxfrom. a'dja'centuto theefrontitocadr-zjaxientt toxthe back of Y said" housing; said-1. meta-- bersebeing: arranged toiprovide a free: center? space insaid rows, a pusher "movable lengthwise offeach member to' displacethe packages length wisei-ot 'said menibers for-discharge aird: all by" gravity fromzone end oi the corresponding mem her; an electrical circuit" and electrically con trolled mean's therein correlated'with'each pusher:

-actuatedibmtheapaclsage.ialling fromethermember to :interrupt, said advance; movement.-

139 VA dispenser for individual articles of. merchandisevand particularlyjor merchandise-packages ecomprising ahousing,v alplurality of aligned substantiallywhorizontal vpackage supportin-gitrays located in adjacent relation in horizonta-luows and: in spaced.- superposed -relation in vertical banks, atzpusherv slidably supported onseach tray forzthedisplacementonthe nack-ageshorizontally along; saidztrays, an. electrical,- circuit and: elec=- trically controlled means therein correlated with. each'itray operativeeupon closing:- aselected element winsaid-lcircuit te; advance-2a pusher along az selectedztray to: discharge: a pack-agew over the; front 1 portion thereot tol fall -to;; aaplaceeof d8?" liveryi-com-mon to allwof' sa-id trays and azswitch located.:.at the front -part ofiandbelow eachr'tray torbevopenedby. the pack-age falling from: said front; portion to interrupt'theacircuit current and towpreventiurtherradvance :Ofithe pusher and ot-l the'i-package;

14: A:dispenserrfor-.individual articles of mer-- chandis'euand particularly; for 'merchandisewpackiagesvcompri'sing; aahousing; aplurality; of: horizontal :ro-ws Ofupatnllel article; supporting ;trays,- each row liaving; a plurality of said trays inside byesidearela-ticn;alpusher movabl'e lengthwise of eachitrayg to discharge the articles; one-by-one: from: one ren'dzof each tray; an electrical. circuit 1' andrelectrical control means: therein correlated'* with: each tray and: operative, upon closing: a pushwbutton:inIsaid-"circuit to-advance-the 'selecteda pusherrandathee articles :tin: irontfoi isaidipusherf lengthwise fOfCthQ selecteditrayandpverzthe :front'; portionthereo'fto fall by gravity togaaplacesotz' deliverys, meahsfibelow-itheelevel of: theebottoms oft-iffsaid article's? our. said i traysii actuated: by: an: article? fa'lliiirgzzfroml selected trayz to'finterrupt?v thee-advance-smovement or:thepusherr'andcmeans: actuateda by 'saidi pusher? UPOI'IIT'IHDVGIIHiHfi"? tor: a? position; 170' discharge; thefjl last varticl'e-t front; at selectedztrayrto interrupt? the correlated? circuit: and ito :prevent iurthertoperatiom of rthe-rpusherz'.

15: Asdispen'serffor individual i'articlesisof'imers chandise andrparticularly; for'merchandise pack agesscomprising in *aihousing a plurality: of .'hori-' zontalrsrows oil 2 arti clefsupp orting trays; each row containingta plurality of saidatrays-sin'side bw sides relationgtuae pusher-w movable lengthwise of? eaclrnti ay 'for the; discharge of articles: one-by onee from OIIB'EeHdZDf :saiditray; antelectrica-l: -cir'-' cuit and electrical control means therein 1 correlatedwith' each tray and operative upon closing: a-puslr buttbn said'icircuit to" advance the :selectedi pusher: and .the packages in front? offthe" pusherrlengthwise of (the selected":- tray and'zover the front portion thereof for fall by *gravity to apla'ce 'of delivery, vmeans below the level of the bottoms ofthe article's on a tray' actuated by an article failings: from the" front portion r of said: trays :toiinterruptithes advance movement of said I pusher, means actuated by said pusher upo-nx movement toa: position-to discharge the last article-vi from a: tray te -interrupt the correlated circuit-*3andyto aprevent further operation of the push'ergxtheilast mentioned means including a projection :fa'stened to: the bottom of 1 the pusher an'd aswitch located 'at the front portion of the located-insaid-fi'ee center space and operative tray'and .connected in' said 'circuit tobe opened upon-closinga push button in the: circuit 'to ad-'- Vance-the selected pusher and to thereby advance said packages along said memberandover-one end thereof to 'a :place of 'deliv'erw and m'eansba byi'said iproje'cti'on .upon. the -full advance oi :the pusher:

16';- A dispenser: for-individual articles of mer-'- charrdise.and -particularly for merchandise packlow: the level of said packages on said' mem-ber: :2 agesucomprising;a-substantiallyhorizontal Jarticlea supporting member, means movable lengthwise of said member to advance said articles along the member and discharge them successively at one end of said member for fall by gravity to a place of delivery, means below said article support for receiving the falling article and conveying it to a place of delivery, driving means for moving said movable means along said member, and means below the level of the bottoms of the articles on the support and in the path of and actuated by movement of the article discharged from said member to render said driving means inoperative to move said movable means along said member.

17. An article dispensing device comprising a substantially horizontal elongated support for a plurality of articles, means movable lengthwise of said support for advancing said articles along said support and discharging them successively at one end thereof for fall by gravity, means below said support for receiving the falling article and conveying it to a place of delivery, driving means for moving said advancing means, mechanism for connecting said advancing means to and disconnecting it from said driving means, manually controllable means for operating said mechanism to connect said driving means to said advancing means to discharge an article into the means below said support, and means actuated by a dis-charged article to operate said mechanism to disconnect said driving means from said advancing means, the last-mentioned means being located between said support and said place of delivery and in the path of articles discharged from said support.

18. An article dispensing device comprising a plurality of vertically superimposed substantially horizontal supports for a plurality of articles, a pusher member movable along each support to advance the articles thereon and discharge them successively at one end of each support for fall by gravity, chute means to receive the falling articles and convey them to a place of delivery, a driving means for all of said pusher members,

' 14 an electrically actuated means corresponding to each pusher member for selectively connecting said driving means to and disconnecting it from its corresponding pusher member, a first switch means corresponding to each pusher member, means electrically connecting said first switch means and said electrically actuated means to connect said driving means to a pusher member upon actuation of its corresponding switch means, and second switch means adjacent to said one end of each support below the level of the articles thereon actuated by discharge of an article therefrom to dis-connect said driving means from the pusher member connected thereto.

19. An article dispensing device comprising a substantially horizontal supporting member, means movable lengthwise in said member to advance articles along said member and discharge them successively at one end of said member for fall by gravity to a place of delivery, a substantially vertical delivery chute for receiving articles falling from the front end of the supporting member and discharging them downwardly to said place of delivery, driving means for said movable means, manually controlled means for connecting said driving means to said movable means, and means in the path of and actuated by the article falling from said member for disconnecting said driving means from said movable means.

WILLIAM S. TANDLER.

DAVID S. WALKER.

FERDINAND A. DE WEISS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,356,379 McDermott Oct. 19, 1920 1,572,263 Ash Feb. 9, 1926 1,790,499 DeWilde Jan. 27, 1931 1,877,050 Ray Sept. 13, 1982 

